The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-31
BI.cARBoNATE OF SODA.
A Chemical Which Has Proved Itself On
of the Housekeeper's Best Friends.

BI.CARBONAI Of SODA.
A Chemical Which Has Proved Itself One |
of the Housekeeper's Best Friends
The product known as carbonate OF
soda is zone of those things no family
should lie without" its manifold vir-
tues rendering it very adaptive to house,
hold requirements Every good cook
knows its excellence in bread making.
and many Of us, doubtless remember
the delicious soda biscuits our grand
mothers prepared to perfection long be-
fore the beginning of the '.rising" gen.
Grafton of baking powders. Prepared
-four, SO convenient to have at hand in
emergencies may be mixed at home,
and with less expense than it can be
purchased, particularly by ladies liv-
ing in the country. remote from village
stores,) and of really better quality
than the packed varieties. Mix
two pounds of pure cream of
tartar with one pound of bi-carbonate
of soda; rub them together until all
Jumps are dissolved, then pass three
times through a fine sieve. Add three
teaspoonfuls to each quart of flour, and
rub all together twice through the
sieve. Use the best flour, and the re-
suit will be satisfactory.
A slight dash of soda renders all
green vegetables more nutritious, ten
der and easy of digestion, particularly
cabbage, spinach and beans. A pinch
of soda to dried beans, split peas, etc.
makes "all the difference in the world, "
particularly in using them for soups. A
very slight quantity takes from toma-
toes the unpleasantly sharp ''twang"
leaving only an appetizing suggestion
of acid In preparing stock for soups
or gravies, one-half teaspoonful of soda
to every quart of water will extract ali
the substance from remnants of meat,
bones, liver, etc, like magic A little
bit makes coffee very rich; and if the
water be hard, will soften it sufficiently
to render the coffee the yeritable "cup
that cheers"
Every thing-the good temper, and
general well-being of the family-de-
ponds upon the cleanliness of the coffee
pot which in all orderly households is
thoroughly washed and aired after u.s.
ing. 1t should be kept sweet by fire.
quent "boilings OUT with a generous
pinch of soda in the water. Oet it
come very gradually to boil.) Death
turks in tannin, and tannin abides in
the coffee pot of slatternly house
keeper.
In sickness as we'll as in health, this
same soda comes valiantly to the front
rank in the army of useful things.
Well do recall the time we agonized
over a poor little babe shrieking with
collie. One of us walked the floor with
it and patted its back; another trotted
it on her knee and patted its back;
another dosed it with gin and patted
its back; others did equally absurd and
needless things and-patted its back!
And still that child was not happy!
In the midst of the uproar, in walked
lady friend who "knew all about
babies" stop hammering away on
that -child's backbone, and put little
bi-carb-just speck-on its tongue ~
she said. The deed was done, the pain
racked child was relieved in few
moments, and the domestic empire
was peace.
Dyspeptics find that this same obi
carb'' carries healing in its wings" il
regularly used. 1t creates appetitei
tones up the stomach and sweetens the
system. Nausea and sick headache
may be relieved by taking it internally.
while its efficacy in neutralizing the
poison of bites or stings of venomous
insects is well known. 1t acts like q
charm in the case of snake bite. For
hives, apply externally, and swallow a
small quantity dissolved in water
also take q light laxative Relief from
the burning and irritation will quickly
follow. If wet soda be Immediately
applied to burns or scalds, both heat
and pain speedily subside. Other pur.
poses are subserved by this great prod.
net, to all of which it would be i'm.
possible to specially refer; but that il
is real benefaction, in judicious
hands, is fact beyond cavil or ques-
ton. Of course. it may often, like the
cooks broth, be overdone or under.
done, by indiscriminate usage; but the
worthy housewife knows just where
and when to leave it off, and the wise
home doctor knows just how long to
leave it on; and under such suspicious
circumstances. it is indeed necessary
luxury for which we should feel de.
voutly grateful to the science of chem.
istry.-Belle E. Cable, in Good House
keeping.